People are in secure hands at Homecare West in Borders

Homecare West provides essential care services across the western areas of the Scottish Borders, including Galashiels, St Boswells, Lauder, Peebles, and Selkirk. With two offices – the main office in Galashiels and a secondary office in Peebles – the service plays a vital role in supporting the well-being of the local community.

Recently, the Care Inspectorate conducted an unannounced visit to assess the quality of care provided by the service. The inspection revealed several positive aspects along with a few recommendations for improvement.

Key Findings from the Care Inspection

1. Consistent and Familiar Care Staff

One of the key highlights of the inspection was the consistency of care. The majority of care visits were carried out by familiar staff, which helped build trust and comfort for supported individuals. Families also expressed satisfaction with the regular care team attending their loved ones.

2. No Reliance on Agency Staff

At the time of the inspection, Homecare West was not using any agency staff. This demonstrated the service’s ability to maintain staffing levels without external support, ensuring consistent care delivery.

3. Punctuality and Visit Duration

Inspectors found no significant concerns about the punctuality or the duration of care visits. This indicates that Homecare West staff are reliable and respectful of the time allocated to each individual’s care.

Areas for Improvement

While the inspection report was largely positive, there were a few areas identified for improvement:

1. Updating Paperwork

Inspectors noticed that some paperwork in care folders kept in people’s homes needed auditing. Old or irrelevant documents should be removed to keep information current and useful.

2. Clearer Guidance on Medication and Shopping

Staff would benefit from simplified, accessible guidelines regarding medication auditing and shopping for clients. Clear instructions can help avoid confusion and ensure safer care practices.

3. Specialized Training for Staff

The report recommended more person-specific training, especially for conditions like diabetes and Parkinson’s. Enhancing staff knowledge about these conditions would improve the quality of care for individuals with such health needs.

Positive Feedback and Overall Rating

The Care Inspectorate awarded Homecare West a ‘good’ rating for both supporting people’s well-being and the quality of the staff team. Families appreciated the responsive management, especially when concerns about loved ones’ well-being were raised. The management team was praised for their proactive communication with both family members and healthcare professionals.

The report highlighted that management responded swiftly to concerns, providing reassurance to families. They also collaborated effectively with healthcare professionals when individuals were returning from hospital or starting new care arrangements.

Homecare West continues to provide reliable and compassionate care across the Borders. The consistent staffing, punctual visits, and positive feedback from families reflect the service’s dedication to high-quality care. Addressing the recommended improvements, such as updating paperwork, simplifying guidelines, and enhancing staff training, will further strengthen the service’s operations and ensure even better outcomes for supported individuals.

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